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Start of Colonial Immigration to America
This date marks the discovery of the James River and the beginning of immigration to the US. -
Pennsylvania Enacts Oath of Allegiance for German Immigrants
German immigrants were able to accept the United States as their new Home and country. -
French and Indian War
The French and Indian War began as a mere regional conflict that escalated into a world-wide conflict. Other regions of our nation fear this when they witness the Southwest's conflicts with Mexican immigration. There also existed the clashing of two cultures along with manipulation of a people to gain allies. -
The Constitution of the United States of America takes effect
Provides new laws for citizens. It never mentions the word immigrant. -
The Alien Naturalization Act is ratified.
This law limited naturalization to immigrants who were "free white persons" of "good moral character", so it didn't include American Indians, indentured servants, slaves, free blacks, and Asians. -
The Louisiana Purchase
America bought land that is about 15 of American states from French for trade and transportational reasons -
U.S Congress bans the importation of slavery.
After this was passed it was illegal to transport slaves into America. -
Native Americans forced to relocate
American Government forced Native Americans to give up their land and to relocate to the West. They were basically told they were not US citizens. -
The Steerage Act
First significant federal legislation on immigration. Includes reporting of immigration and rules for passengers from US ports bound for Europe. Among its provisions, it established the continuing reporting of immigration to the United States; and set specific sustenance rules for passengers of ships leaving U.S. ports for Europe. -
Irish Potato Famine
Due to crop scarcity and the Irish Potato Famine in general, many Irish people began immigrating to the US. -
Immigration Act
Congress passed a new Immigration Act that stated a 50 cents tax would be levied on all aliens landing at United States ports. An act in which the State Commission and officers were in charge of checking the passengers upon incoming vessels arriving in the U.S. The passengers were examined by a set of exclusionary criteria. Upon examination passengers who appeared to be convicts, lunatics, idiots or unable to take care of themselves were not permitted onto land. -
The Dillingham Commission
The Dillingham Commission identifies Mexican laborers as the best solution to the Southwest labor shortage. Mexicans are exempted from immigrant “head taxes” set in 1903 and 1907. -
Emergency Quota Act
The act greatly restricted the number of immigrants allowed to enter the country by a quota system based on their country of origin. The Act restricted the number of immigrants allowed into the country from any country annually to 3% of the number of residents from that same country living in the United States as of the U.S. Census of 1910. -
Labor Appropriations Act of 1924
First Act to Enforce Border Control and have inspection of illegal immigration -
Immigration Reform & Control Act
There was a growing number of immigrants that were entering the United States illegally. Employers were hiring the aliens at low wages and providing no benefits like health insurance. There were concerns that immigrants were taking jobs away from Americans. Also,immigrants were not paying taxes for the use of public works like roads and schools. The law was passed in an attempt to stop the increase in illegal immigrants. -
SB 1070 - Arizona Legislation
Act in Arizona that required all people over the age of 14 to register with the county and governement and immigrants are required to have documentation of citizenship witht them
